Since I bought it with a problem that wasn't described accurately when I tested it, the first thing I did was take a look inside and noticed ever so slightly buldhed big caps, I've seen caps like this in my QSC amps that are 40 years old and still worked so I wasn't that wortied, I checked the powedupoly board and saw the rectifiers were not mounted tight to the case. Went over doldef joints then plugged it in and fought against the power switch that took a good jab of my finger to see it light up. Turned it off and connected the right channel to a dual woofer @ 4Ω. Instantly upon turn on super loud buzzing noise. Instantly unplugged it. Looking at guys I was very unimpressed. I have 5x 50 year old BGW A150 amps that have a very similar looking build but the A150 is a 1RU tall smp and weighs about the same but is a balanced input amp capable of 1 ohm operation. I paid $35 each for the BGW amps and ran them in mononat 2Ω no problem. I just brought 2 out to run acset if modded Martin Logan Aerius and the combo sounds great. I'll probably put the adcom in my parts room and furgey I wasted money on it.

The good is I only didn't $120 on the GTP-450 pre and the broken GFA-5400 as a package and have yet to test the pre. I'm not sure if I even want to, if the amp is any indication of Adcoms life span I'll stick to my very cheap but clean sounding Arylic BP50 that costs $99 total brand new shipped to my door.. Other amps I'm currently running vosr me about the same, $60 for a QSC GX5, about 4x the power than the GFA-5400 powers the woofers in a modded set of Martin Logan Prodigy and powering the rke triststic panels is a Sunfire 300 capable of 1200 watts per chsnel @ 2Ω, paid $220. Back up amps include a Carver PM-950 ($140) changed out the fan it's on par with the QSC @ 475wpc @ 4Ω , QSC is 725wpc @ 4Ω. Also backup Audio Control model 200 upgraded to model 210 by adding 5vesy wire posts. They're rated to 2Ω @ 210wpc or 420w bridged @ 4Ω. Last long term amps used to power the big Profigy were 2x QSC series 3 3500's rated at 725epc @ 2Ω, very nice sounding AB design nongans. Both died at 40+ years old. This was my first and last Advom endeavour, there's far better quality amps available brand new for $300 that put out twice the power of these old wirn out smos that have been coddled their entire lives and can't make it passed 30 years due to cheap parts. Take a look at all the repairs that have been done stating at 2005! Hundreds of them listed in records on repair lists and they all have similar issues in fact you notice the most repaired brand is by far Adcom with carer plate amps a close 2nd (they're also used in ARbdubs) then vrelodyne sub plate amps, with a few mixed anthem and AR amps rounding out the largest repeat failed makes. Advom failures don't stop at their amps, they have just as long of a list of failed cd players and power conditioners. Overall the list I saw was about 3/5ths Adcom products and 2/5ths carver plate amps and 1/5th others with velofyne plate amps leading the rest of those 1/5th don't buy unless you're ok with spending an extra $300 fir a weak amp that isn't very good sounding even when new many who know audio gave it poor highend sound saying it's very grainy to a point of being harsh and intolerable with most speakers and never considered to be in the running for best sounding no matter what model Adcom amp you're using.

Since I bought it with a problem that wasn't described accurately when I tested it, the first thing I did was take a look inside and noticed ever so slightly buldhed big caps, I've seen caps like this in my QSC amps that are 40 years old and still worked so I wasn't that wortied, I checked the powedupoly board and saw the rectifiers were not mounted tight to the case. Went over doldef joints then plugged it in and fought against the power switch that took a good jab of my finger to see it light up. Turned it off and connected the right channel to a dual woofer @ 4Ω. Instantly upon turn on super loud buzzing noise. Instantly unplugged it. Looking at guys I was very unimpressed. I have 5x 50 year old BGW A150 amps that have a very similar looking build but the A150 is a 1RU tall smp and weighs about the same but is a balanced input amp capable of 1 ohm operation. I paid $35 each for the BGW amps and ran them in mononat 2Ω no problem. I just brought 2 out to run acset if modded Martin Logan Aerius and the combo sounds great. I'll probably put the adcom in my parts room and furgey I wasted money on it.

The good is I only didn't $120 on the GTP-450 pre and the broken GFA-5400 as a package and have yet to test the pre. I'm not sure if I even want to, if the amp is any indication of Adcoms life span I'll stick to my very cheap but clean sounding Arylic BP50 that costs $99 total brand new shipped to my door.. Other amps I'm currently running vosr me about the same, $60 for a QSC GX5, about 4x the power than the GFA-5400 powers the woofers in a modded set of Martin Logan Prodigy and powering the rke triststic panels is a Sunfire 300 capable of 1200 watts per chsnel @ 2Ω, paid $220. Back up amps include a Carver PM-950 ($140) changed out the fan it's on par with the QSC @ 475wpc @ 4Ω , QSC is 725wpc @ 4Ω. Also backup Audio Control model 200 upgraded to model 210 by adding 5vesy wire posts. They're rated to 2Ω @ 210wpc or 420w bridged @ 4Ω. Last long term amps used to power the big Profigy were 2x QSC series 3 3500's rated at 725epc @ 2Ω, very nice sounding AB design nongans. Both died at 40+ years old. This was my first and last Advom endeavour, there's far better quality amps available brand new for $300 that put out twice the power of these old wirn out smos that have been coddled their entire lives and can't make it passed 30 years due to cheap parts. Take a look at all the repairs that have been done stating at 2005! Hundreds of them listed in records on repair lists and they all have similar issues in fact you notice the most repaired brand is by far Adcom with carer plate amps a close 2nd (they're also used in ARbdubs) then vrelodyne sub plate amps, with a few mixed anthem and AR amps rounding out the largest repeat failed makes. Advom failures don't stop at their amps, they have just as long of a list of failed cd players and power conditioners. Overall the list I saw was about 3/5ths Adcom products and 2/5ths carver plate amps and 1/5th others with velofyne plate amps leading the rest of those 1/5th don't buy unless you're ok with spending an extra $300 fir a weak amp that isn't very good sounding even when new many who know audio gave it poor highend sound saying it's very grainy to a point of being harsh and intolerable with most speakers and never considered to be in the running for best sounding no matter what model Adcom amp you're using.

Teac has put enough technique in this state of art model to last it more over decades. Not only the mechanic part but also the electronic part of this deck is from high quality. Real time pause, play and stop without loosing (milli)seconds. Warwick Onsite Truck Repair

None . .

Nice amp, can't complain. This has a version one and version two. The older version one has no speaker protect, the version two has a small board behind the right front panel to add this. Without speaker protection an amp malfunction can take out the speakers as well. This unit uses MOSFET transistors just about everywhere, which is great until spares are needed, as they are harder to find. This also uses a torroid transformer, as do most better amps. This unit seems somewhat inefficient, it does not produce the same volume levels as other amps I have used. Good solid construction, no frills.

Drove a pair of martin logan aierius electrostatics for over 15 years....what more can i say

The gfa 5400 is by no means outdated! Older model is more appropriate. It is one of the few amps in today's wattage game that bests it's claimed specs in every way. It is rated at all ch driven from 20 to20 (not at 20k w one ch driven) and rated at .05% distortion ( not 1%) and will drive 4ohm loads all day long. These amps are realistically putting out 140-145 wpc kind of like the rotel rb1080 rated at 200wpc but was bench tested at 235wpc. These amps will satisfy all but the most finicky loudspkrs,very controlled mid bass and bass but can be a little loose and unforgiving On top buy only at high volumes. Overall excellent performance

Wonderful amp for the price

Is not the most up-to date amp, but soundwise it can't be beat for the price.

This Adcom 5400 amp that I purchased is a wonderful amp at a great price. It sounds great with my system. The amp neither sounds too bright nor too warm. The amp sounds just right to me. I don't know how well the amp is able to drive difficult speakers since my Paradigm Signaure S2 speakers have good sensitivity and they do not have a very low impedance from 20 HZ to 20K HZ.

I like the fact that it has distortion and thermal protection lights, but they are probably just "bells and whistles" and not that useful since I can't imagine actually driving my efficient speakers with that much power to trigger those lights. I only play my music to moderately loud levels.

This amp is an older model (i.e. first sold in 1996), but since SS amp technology has not really changed much that is o.k. with me. In fact that is good for me since hopefully it should be reliable. The only problem is that it is not the most up-to-date amp in that it does not have all the modern features such as a 12-Volt trigger, signal sensing turn-on technology, etc, but since I hook it up to my Adcom ACE-615 surge protector and use the surge protector to turn on all my components those features are not necessary for me.

In summary this amp is a wonderful unit that give you a taste of hifi without having you mortgage your house

Customer Service

One Call is good, but since they sell Adcom products at full retail price I don't like their restocking fee policy. I only bought from them because Audio Advisor and a couple of other places were out of stock of the amp and did not know when they would get more.

Superb, overall sound. Deep and wide soundstage. Smooth from top to bottom. Excellent build quality. Need I continue?

What's that? :-)

I just wanted to say that this amp is absolutely stunning. I've never heard a solid state amp sound this good. This thing sounds even better then my "now sold" Jolida intergrated tube amp. I don't consider myself an audiophile by any means, due to the fact that I simply can't afford $20,000 speakers, amps and other audio toys. But, I do know good sound when I hear it. I have a very small, inexspensive system. Acoustic Research Hi-Res AR9 loudspeakers, Yamaha HTR 5250 a/v receiver, Pioneer DV-563A DVD/SACD player, Monstercable HTS 2500 MKII powercenter, dirt old Teac Hi-Fi stereo VCR ( which never gets used anymore ) and an old 27" Emerson T.V. My cabling, including the speaker cable are all Stout's. Nothing top dollar here at all. But, if this amp brings the slightest hint of audiophile sound to my system, I will be a devoted Adcom fan for life. It did! I would just like to point out that despite what other reviewers of this and other Adcom amps had to say, there is absolutely no shrilly, grainy highs at all and no "invisible veil" over the midrange. Fatigue.... What's that? If anything, I find myself staying up later listening and enjoying the music that this little jem is producing. The sound is sweet from top to bottom. My speakers use titanium tweeters which are known to be quite harsh at times. I found that out with my old Mac MC2100 amp. Now, I've finally found an amp that tames them quite well. The midrange is very open yet completely smooth. The bass is extremely tight and deep. Sounstaging seemed to always be a problem with my AR's. Not anymore! :-) This amp has cured just about every little problem that I've ever run into with my speakers and other amps, including a tube amp. Adcom has brought the warmth and sweetness of a tube amp and intergrated it with the power and authority of a solid state amp to produce one heck of a power amp. Even the rated power of 125 watts per channel seems to be under rated. I've heard 200 watt per channel amps that don't even come close to comparing to the power and musicality of this amp. Bottom line is, if you are looking for a straight forward, well built, excellent sounding power amp, try Adcom. And did I mention affordable.... I've finally found an amp that I want to keep. And to all of the other reviewers that aren't particularly fond of this amp, and or Adcom amps in general, need to rethink there loudspeaker positioning. Proper speaker placement is a must, not cramming them up against walls and usage of cheap lamp cord for their cabling is highly unacceptable.

Similar Products Used:

McIntosh, Jolida, Aragon.

Power. Delivery of good sound.

Runs hot. Grainy and hazy sound for some vocals.

This amp has plenty of power and for the most part delivers good sound at all levels. It can be bright and also very deep. Sometimes I feel there is a haze over sound, and voice are grainy. It runs hot, but is a trooper. Overall, a good amp for those considering separates. Good sound, but I often have felt the sound from my Adcom 2535 was more open and clearer, although lacking the tight base of the 5400.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom 2535

Combines the best of tube sound with the best of solid state Detailed natural sound Very revealing, will bring out the best in good recordings, and the worst in bad ones Great power supply Built like a tank Great looks simplicity

No balenced inputs (not really an issue though) The cord is permanent and not removable (again, not a real big deal)

I am a recording and mastering engineer, and also an audiophile. The Adcom GFA-5400 is a wonderful sounding solid state amp. It combines the warmth and detail of tubes with the tight fast bass of transistors. It beats the pants off amps three times its price. I use it to drive my vintage Acoustic Research loudspeakers which are difficult to drive, but the Adcom powers them well, and never distorts. Listen to this amp today, you will be glad you did!

Similar Products Used:

Bryston, Mcintosh, NAD, Onkyo, Sony